The UN Security Council has imposed four rounds of sanctions against Iran over its uranium enrichment.

But Rouhani said it is ‘‘an illusion, and extremely unrealistic, to presume that the peaceful nature of the nuclear program of Iran could be ensured through impeding the program via illegitimate pressures’’.

It was his first appearance on the world stage since he was elected in the summer.

Nuclear negotiations between Iran and six world powers have been stalled for months, but Iran agreed to a new meeting on Thursday on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

Rouhani said every issue can be resolved through moderation and rejection of violence.